Sameena Maqsood

Sameena Maqsood is a contemporary abstract artist from Kashmir whose work is rooted in an introspective exploration of identity, inner consciousness, and the deeper purpose of human existence. Through a quiet yet evocative visual language, she navigates the space between the visible and the intangible, creating works that invite reflection, stillness, and spiritual inquiry.

She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from the University of Kashmir, where her formal training laid the foundation for a practice that moves fluidly between abstraction, design, and research grounded in traditional craft practices. Deeply influenced by the cultural and artistic heritage of the Valley, her work reinterprets inherited forms within a contemporary, meditative context.

Her paintings are marked by the presence of semi-abstract, contemplative figures—forms that often appear inward-looking, suspended in moments of silence and reflection. These figures become vessels of thought rather than subjects, suggesting a shared human condition and a collective search for meaning. Through subtle harmonies of colour and layered compositions, she creates visual spaces that evoke calm, drawing the viewer toward an awareness of the inner self as a place of permanence amidst a transient world.

Alongside her studio practice, Sameena has cultivated a diverse professional journey. She works as a freelance artist and serves as Promotion and Marketing Officer for the Valley Fine Arts & Craft Society (VFACS). Her engagement with the craft sector includes her role at the Craft Development Institute, Srinagar, where she contributed as an assistant faculty member and designer, working across traditional disciplines such as handloom textiles, papier-mâché, wood carving, and silk carpets—bridging the dialogue between craft traditions and contemporary design.

Her work in cultural preservation extends to her involvement with the SPS Museum, Srinagar, as part of a UNESCO–INTACH initiative focused on the restoration and documentation of significant collections. She has also contributed to art education as an instructor at the Government School of Architecture, nurturing emerging creative voices.

Sameena’s work has been exhibited in numerous group shows and national exhibitions, including at the Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai. She is a recipient of the State Award by the All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society (AIFACS), among other recognitions.

As a resident artist at HunarGaah, she continues to contribute through both her practice and mentorship, guiding artists to explore their own visual language. Her work remains a quiet yet powerful meditation—one that gently shifts attention from the external to the internal, reminding us that while the world around us is ever-changing, the search within is enduring.